Our return from Cambridge consisted of first running a load of hull segments to Nebula Technologies where I was told that they had a special on a Iridium load that absolutely had to get to Sabah Shipyard in Coronado. It made sense, being closer to home base, so we accepted this load and paid out the cost of the product as well as related insurance.
We were just rounding the bend toward our preferred route through New London when we happened upon a friendly Freelancer explorer in a Spatial combat craft. After some small talk about the region, business, and trade, he offered to provide the ship an escort to Sabah Shipyard through a route he assured us was a bit quicker than our routing through Leeds. We took him up on his offer and learned a new route through Ice fields to Coronado as well as made a new contact with the Freelancer Aspen Harlow.
[22.01.2023 05:06:29] AWES-Aspiration: Good day, Aspen.Harlow!
[22.01.2023 05:06:43] Aspen.Harlow: Howdy Interspace. How's the lanes been treatin' ya?
[22.01.2023 05:06:56] AWES-Aspiration: Pretty decent today.
[22.01.2023 05:07:16] AWES-Aspiration: Are you patrolling on contract? Or looking for next trade?
[22.01.2023 05:07:49] Aspen.Harlow: I'm a freelance space explorer, actually. A Bretonian from Newcastle said there was a lot to see there, just came back.
[22.01.2023 05:08:08] AWES-Aspiration: Nice work, sounds like an exciting career.
[22.01.2023 05:08:12] Aspen.Harlow: He didn't tell me the spooky nebula at the edge of the system had *horror stories* about it, though.
[22.01.2023 05:08:40] Aspen.Harlow: It's alright so far. Never a dull moment, but pay is hard to come by.
[22.01.2023 05:08:51] AWES-Aspiration: There are quite a few stories I've heard as well about that area.
[22.01.2023 05:09:12] AWES-Aspiration: What kind of clients do you typically have?
[22.01.2023 05:09:37] Aspen.Harlow: I skirted the edge but couldn't convince myself to go inside. I've had a lot of bad luck with nebulas in the last week or two.
[22.01.2023 05:10:01] Aspen.Harlow: Clients? Well, I haven't actually taken any. I'm definitely in the early days here.
[22.01.2023 05:10:13] AWES-Aspiration: Ah, I'm understanding.
[22.01.2023 05:10:28] Aspen.Harlow: I mostly explore for myself. Used to be a psychotherapist, actually, but owning my own ship was always a dream of mine.
[22.01.2023 05:10:57] Aspen.Harlow: I did some helium hauling for a bit to pay my way with an old crew, but they're off doing transport work now.
[22.01.2023 05:11:21] Aspen.Harlow: How 'bout you? Big House corp, they gotta pay well for good captains, yeah?
[22.01.2023 05:11:38] AWES-Aspiration: I can attest that transport work is at least steady, but not exciting. Unless there are pirates.
[22.01.2023 05:12:04] AWES-Aspiration: We get paid fairly well. Plus there are decent benefit packages with Interspace.
[22.01.2023 05:13:25] AWES-Aspiration: We do have different areas and some executives have called in outside contractors to assist with projects, on occassion.
[22.01.2023 05:13:26] Aspen.Harlow: That's good to hear! They got their own security too, right?
[22.01.2023 05:13:39] AWES-Aspiration: If you are looking to corporate work on a per job basis.
[22.01.2023 05:14:15] AWES-Aspiration: Yes, we try to have as many escort ships as we can, but there's so much traffic, its never enough to cover all trade out there.
[22.01.2023 05:15:21] Aspen.Harlow: It was never somethin' I really thought about, pulling jobs for the big names. I try to stay away from violent encounters, too.
[22.01.2023 05:15:57] Aspen.Harlow: But, I'm also runnin' out of scrip on operating expenses... I'd hate to see the day I end up some space merc, heh.
[22.01.2023 05:16:36] Aspen.Harlow: Got any tips on orgs looking for exploration vessels? That'd save me a load of trouble.
[22.01.2023 05:16:49] AWES-Aspiration: Good question.
[22.01.2023 05:17:07] AWES-Aspiration: There is a research firm in Tau-23 we've done work for.
[22.01.2023 05:17:31] AWES-Aspiration: Goes by the name of Starlight Research Consortium I think?
[22.01.2023 05:17:57] Aspen.Harlow: Can't say I've heard the name. What'd they have you getting up to?
[22.01.2023 05:18:35] AWES-Aspiration: They are deep into discoveries and research, and their onboard equipment needs a special power source.
[22.01.2023 05:18:53] AWES-Aspiration: We have been contracted in the past to make deliveries of these power source modules.
[22.01.2023 05:19:36] AWES-Aspiration: I used to worry about hauling those things - if they shorted out or something I figured we'd be done for.
[22.01.2023 05:20:32] Aspen.Harlow: Looks like transport services has some excitement besides pirates after all!
[22.01.2023 05:21:05] AWES-Aspiration: The only excitment there is my paranoia
[22.01.2023 05:21:29] AWES-Aspiration: But no accidents so they must engineer them well
[22.01.2023 05:21:39] Aspen.Harlow: Heh, we'll call it your well-honed survival instincts, captain.
[22.01.2023 05:22:01] AWES-Aspiration: I suppose one can't be too careful.
[22.01.2023 05:22:16] Aspen.Harlow: You headed towards the Taus yourself?
[22.01.2023 05:22:57] AWES-Aspiration: Yes, to Crayter space. This Iridium gets alot of use in Coronado.
[22.01.2023 05:23:56] AWES-Aspiration: Did you have enough adventures yourself today with the Nebula?
[22.01.2023 05:24:07] Aspen.Harlow: Yeah, I stopped by there on my way, actually, but I haven't been any deeper into the Taus.
[22.01.2023 05:24:55] AWES-Aspiration: Well, we travel the Tau Highway a lot, often running Gold from Dublin to Honshu. Usually it's safe.
[22.01.2023 05:26:10] Aspen.Harlow: Must be safer than Vespucci at least. I got a firsthand look at the Liberty operation going on there. Huge mess of ships.
[22.01.2023 05:26:43] Aspen.Harlow: And about that nebula, nah. I *wanted* to go inside, but the last two times I went into dark nebulas with electrical storms...
[22.01.2023 05:27:12] Aspen.Harlow: I nearly died both times! Something about the #3 and tempting fate came to mind...
[22.01.2023 05:28:17] Aspen.Harlow: If you ever frequent Inverness, just stay away from the jump hole to Vespucci, is all I'm saying.
[22.01.2023 05:28:21] AWES-Aspiration: Best to not make learning that lesson your last lesson. Good call.
[22.01.2023 05:29:03] AWES-Aspiration: We seldom get that way, and part of that is the conflict. It's dangerous, I agree.
[22.01.2023 05:30:14] Aspen.Harlow: The Taus sound like my place to be then! I owe ya for the tip, so I could watch out for you on the way to Coronado if ya want.
[22.01.2023 05:30:57] AWES-Aspiration: I'm not one to turn down a good escort. How much would you like in pay for your services?
[22.01.2023 05:31:56] Aspen.Harlow: Oh, lessee... just covering my expenses, I'd only need maybe 650,000.
[22.01.2023 05:32:28] AWES-Aspiration: Ah, well I believe that will be fine by us.
[22.01.2023 05:32:29] Aspen.Harlow: S'enough to keep me flying a while, if I'm careful.
[22.01.2023 05:33:53] Aspen.Harlow: Roger that. I'll form on you once you send it and your flight plan on over.
[22.01.2023 05:34:10] [2023-01-22] 05:34:10 You have sent 650.000 credits to Aspen.Harlow.
[22.01.2023 05:34:24] AWES-Aspiration: Payment sent.
[22.01.2023 05:35:28] Aspen.Harlow: Alrighty! Will you be headin' through Newcastle?
[22.01.2023 05:35:52] AWES-Aspiration: Sure, we can go that way.
[22.01.2023 05:36:25] Aspen.Harlow: Only askin' since if you wanted to stay on the lanes, best way would be back the way you came.
[22.01.2023 05:36:42] Aspen.Harlow: But, there's a hole in Newcastle that'll get us into the system.
[22.01.2023 05:37:03] AWES-Aspiration: Well, we can still connect though Leeds to Newcastle
[22.01.2023 05:37:37] Aspen.Harlow: Yep, I think it ends up bein' a bit shorter. I'll squawk if I see trouble.
[22.01.2023 05:37:54] AWES-Aspiration: Roger!
[22.01.2023 05:38:53] Aspen.Harlow: I'll be honest... I really had to resist letting the words "Leeds seems quiet" escape me earlier.
[22.01.2023 05:39:19] Aspen.Harlow: That'd have been pretty insensitive. I can't believe something like this happened.
[22.01.2023 05:39:37] AWES-Aspiration: Yes, quite the tragedy
[22.01.2023 05:40:48] Aspen.Harlow: Clear so far.
[22.01.2023 05:41:37] Aspen.Harlow: The lane to Scarborough will put us right near it.
[22.01.2023 05:42:43] Aspen.Harlow: Alrighty, follow me.
[22.01.2023 05:43:03] AWES-Aspiration: On your tail. Into the ice
[22.01.2023 05:43:20] Aspen.Harlow: Ice fields I actually like. Reminds me of Penny.
[22.01.2023 05:43:25] Aspen.Harlow: I'll go first.
[22.01.2023 05:43:35] AWES-Aspiration: Understood
[22.01.2023 05:44:38] Aspen.Harlow: You're bound for Yuma, then?
[22.01.2023 05:44:45] AWES-Aspiration: Yes
[22.01.2023 05:44:57] Aspen.Harlow: Nice, should be a nice straight shot.
[22.01.2023 05:44:59] AWES-Aspiration: They want this cargo at Sabah
[22.01.2023 05:45:45] Aspen.Harlow: Military applications I reckon? I heard Crayter skirmishes with the Outcasts plenty.
[22.01.2023 05:46:11] AWES-Aspiration: Then they need all the help they can get. That's a violent group.
[22.01.2023 05:46:52] Aspen.Harlow: Yeah, 'tween the sniffers and their home planet here being a pain in the butt to colonize, they got a handful.
[22.01.2023 05:47:23] Aspen.Harlow: And there's Sabah, nice and pretty.
[22.01.2023 05:48:23] Aspen.Harlow: Said I wouldn't end up a space merc, and then I pull an escort right after. Space does weird things to you, man.
[22.01.2023 05:48:23] AWES-Aspiration: Excellent. Thank you for the escort, and the conversation. Always good to make great acquitances on road.
[22.01.2023 05:48:35] AWES-Aspiration: It sure does *laugh*
[22.01.2023 05:48:59] Aspen.Harlow: Say, what's your name, captain? We should chat more some time if I see ya around.
[22.01.2023 05:49:48] AWES-Aspiration: I'm captain Forrest Logan. I usually got this boat heading around the Tau areas due to being based in Convergence in 31
[22.01.2023 05:50:53] AWES-Aspiration: Safe travels to you out there. I hope we cross paths again.
[22.01.2023 05:50:58] Aspen.Harlow: Hey, right on. I'm Aspen Harlow - couldn't think up anything witty enough callsign-wise, so there ya go.
[22.01.2023 05:51:09] Aspen.Harlow: I'll be around the Taus some, so I don't doubt it.
[22.01.2023 05:51:22] =CR=Thunder.Wolf: Hail Aspiration
[22.01.2023 05:51:24] 2023-01-22 05:51:23 SMT Traffic control alert: AWES-Aspiration has requested to dock
[22.01.2023 05:51:45] =CR=Thunder.Wolf: hello freelancer
[22.01.2023 05:51:50] AWES-Aspiration: Good day, =CR=Thunder.Wolf!
[22.01.2023 05:51:52] Aspen.Harlow: Just brought him in from Bretonia. A delivery for you military folks.
[22.01.2023 05:52:26] =CR=Thunder.Wolf: Hm, seems everything checks out
[22.01.2023 05:52:39] =CR=Thunder.Wolf: Glory to the republic!
[22.01.2023 05:52:54] AWES-Aspiration: Safe skies sir
[22.01.2023 05:53:08] Aspen.Harlow: Oh, an' Forrest, if you see the Dandred's Fold on the lanes, tell Captain Jax Ustich I'm catchin' up to him!
[22.01.2023 05:55:04] 2023-01-22 05:55:03 SMT Traffic control alert: AWES-Aspiration has requested to dock
After the Iridium was sold on Sabah, the ship loaded up with yet another of the countless loads of Hull Segments from the station we've transported to Tau-31, more repair and upgrade materials for Convergence Trade Centre.
Upon arrival at the centre, there was a problem with staffing I was made aware of by the administrator. It appears that 150 or so crew had decided to take off and go to Freeport 6 in Tau-29 for some R&R. I was asked to retrieve them and appeal to their economic stability to make this happen. On Freeport 6 after the short trip from Tau-31, we located more of the crew and managed to convince the majority of them to return. The ones that were a lost cause we left there, and quickly filled their vacancies with temporary base staff (there's always lots of applications for this work on this Freeport). Back at the base, things slowly returned to normal, and our crew dispersed for some much deserved downtime .
Sincerely,
Forrest Logan
Captain - AWES-Aspiration All Worlds Enterprises & Securities
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Freelancer escort in Bretonia - Jan 22![[Image: awes180.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/MfsmLJ7/awes180.jpg)